Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Monday welcomed some 2,623 young enrollees of the city of Makati’s Sports, Music, Arts and Recreational Training or SMART 2017 summer program as they gathered at the City Hall Quadrangle for its official opening.
Binay said the SMART program gives schoolchildren an enjoyable way to spend their summer vacation aside from the chance to develop and harness their potential talents.
The mayor also said the city government will support participants who show potential in the field of sports and other events to help them reach their full potential.
“Participants who have potential to excel in sports and other fields will be supported by the city government to further develop and enhance their skills and talents,” Binay said.
Founded in 2002, the program has 22 events for the participants to choose from, and has always been free of charge. The participants are also given free t-shirts to serve as their uniform. The summer program will run from April 3 to May 25, 2017.
Among those who also graced the opening ceremony were Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Rep. Luis Campos Jr., city councilors, department heads, basketball player Chris Tiu – who is also a barangay kagawad of Barangay Urdaneta – and UST volleyball player EJ Laure.
For SMART 2017, the total number of enrollees are broken down as follows: aikido, 17; arnis, 52; athletics, 30; academic tutorial, 553; badminton, 86; basketball clinic, 170; chess, 63; classical ballet, 109; cooking and baking, 88; dance clinic, 122; drama and acting, 42; drawing and painting, 164; football, 75; guitar lessons, 143; karate, 60; muay thai, 34; personality development, 52; swimming, 374; table tennis, 35; taekwondo, 162; voice lessons, 114; and volleyball clinic, 78.
The SMART summer program is open to residents, who are required to present the following: duly accomplished registration and waiver form, certified true copy and photocopy of Birth or Baptismal Certificate of the child; original and photocopy of Voter’s ID or COMELEC Certificate of parent or legal guardian; and two pieces 1×1 latest picture of the child.